Jambo Africa ~ The foundation of the program is rooted in identifying cultural differences and similarities. We explore lifestyle, family, customs, clothing, housing, education, food, health, work and play. There is conversation about challenges and solutions along with triumphs and celebration.
Everyday life plays out against the backdrop of the spectacular Serengeti and surrounding topography and the diverse wildlife. Images, video and audio display animal behavior and accommodation to environment.
Humanitarian projects, specifically the Sunrise of Life home for street children and the biosand water filter initiative through LifeWaterAfrica.com, show children that projects large and small can make a difference in the lives of the givers and the receivers.
Program design ~ Brief introduction: three students are dressed; one as a Maasai child, one as a villager and one dressed as is, to illustrate how we can be very different, somewhat the same, or identical in garb. Introduction of some Swahili words and phrases. Middle segment: slides, video with accompanying narrative. Final portion: in-depth Q and A about cultural similarities and differences, examples of community working well and not so well, animal behavior; and inspection of artifacts. Concepts and explanations are modified to be grade level appropriate.
Program length ~ One hour, 15 minutes. Audience size ~ assembly not to exceed 150 or small groups of two classroom sizes combined
Other requirements ~ Room that can be darkened. All other equipment provided by Gail.
CURRICULUM COMPLEMENT:
When Jambo Africa was first presented almost 17 years ago the focus was: culture, wildlife and landscape. The program was presented most often in classrooms that were studying a unit on Africa.
As curricula have changed and my experiences have broadened and deepened, other themes have been highlighted, and in some cases specifically tailored to a curriculum unit or the current year’s school theme.
Tanzania, East Africa has become the complement to a number of non-geographical curriculum units. For example, one set of first grade classrooms is studying ‘celebrations’ this year. I referenced celebrations throughout the program but cited two specific holidays: Saba Saba (7/7, Independence Day) and Nane Nane (8/8, Farmers Day). Another school was focusing on ‘community’ and there are numerous points throughout the program that children readily identify.
All of these curriculum matches are illustrated through narrative, dialogue, questions and connections, still images and motion video.
For those of you who have had me return year after year, I am preaching to the choir. The simplified bullet points below illustrate the plethora of opportunities to combine Jambo Africa with various curriculum units.
THE BIG PICTURE on a planet with 7.5 billion people:
• Thinking beyond self
• If you lived there what would be easier/harder than how you live now
• Similarities and differences without judgment
• Role of communication and cooperation
• Challenges and solutions
• Acceptance and change
• Freedom to express your point of view
INFRASTRUCTURE
• Roadways, homes, jobs, electricity, technology
• Urban vs. rural life
• Access to health care
CULTURE
• Customs
• Celebrations
• Traditions
• Language
• Ethnicity
DAILY LIFE
• Shopping, cooking, transportation
• School activities
• Athletic pursuits
• Entertainment and games
• Family time
WILDLIFE
• Varieties of animals: types, size, preferred food, habitat
• Interactions with humans
• Animal prey/predator theme
HUMAN BEHAVIOR
• Cooperation within and among communities
• Individual assistance to family and friends
Examples of Helping Projects:
Goat sheds at Sunrise of Life
Farmers’ markets near Ngorongoro Crater
Water filters in various remote villages
Upendo home for families where members have leprosy
People with challenges at Shanga River
Bullying
GailALaRocca@gmail.com
617.285.7307
LifeWaterAfrica.com
1.18
Everyday life plays out against the backdrop of the spectacular Serengeti and surrounding topography and the diverse wildlife. Images, video and audio display animal behavior and accommodation to environment.
Humanitarian projects, specifically the Sunrise of Life home for street children and the biosand water filter initiative through LifeWaterAfrica.com, show children that projects large and small can make a difference in the lives of the givers and the receivers.
Program design ~ Brief introduction: three students are dressed; one as a Maasai child, one as a villager and one dressed as is, to illustrate how we can be very different, somewhat the same, or identical in garb. Introduction of some Swahili words and phrases. Middle segment: slides, video with accompanying narrative. Final portion: in-depth Q and A about cultural similarities and differences, examples of community working well and not so well, animal behavior; and inspection of artifacts. Concepts and explanations are modified to be grade level appropriate.
Program length ~ One hour, 15 minutes. Audience size ~ assembly not to exceed 150 or small groups of two classroom sizes combined
Other requirements ~ Room that can be darkened. All other equipment provided by Gail.
CURRICULUM COMPLEMENT:
When Jambo Africa was first presented almost 17 years ago the focus was: culture, wildlife and landscape. The program was presented most often in classrooms that were studying a unit on Africa.
As curricula have changed and my experiences have broadened and deepened, other themes have been highlighted, and in some cases specifically tailored to a curriculum unit or the current year’s school theme.
Tanzania, East Africa has become the complement to a number of non-geographical curriculum units. For example, one set of first grade classrooms is studying ‘celebrations’ this year. I referenced celebrations throughout the program but cited two specific holidays: Saba Saba (7/7, Independence Day) and Nane Nane (8/8, Farmers Day). Another school was focusing on ‘community’ and there are numerous points throughout the program that children readily identify.
All of these curriculum matches are illustrated through narrative, dialogue, questions and connections, still images and motion video.
For those of you who have had me return year after year, I am preaching to the choir. The simplified bullet points below illustrate the plethora of opportunities to combine Jambo Africa with various curriculum units.
THE BIG PICTURE on a planet with 7.5 billion people:
• Thinking beyond self
• If you lived there what would be easier/harder than how you live now
• Similarities and differences without judgment
• Role of communication and cooperation
• Challenges and solutions
• Acceptance and change
• Freedom to express your point of view
INFRASTRUCTURE
• Roadways, homes, jobs, electricity, technology
• Urban vs. rural life
• Access to health care
CULTURE
• Customs
• Celebrations
• Traditions
• Language
• Ethnicity
DAILY LIFE
• Shopping, cooking, transportation
• School activities
• Athletic pursuits
• Entertainment and games
• Family time
WILDLIFE
• Varieties of animals: types, size, preferred food, habitat
• Interactions with humans
• Animal prey/predator theme
HUMAN BEHAVIOR
• Cooperation within and among communities
• Individual assistance to family and friends
Examples of Helping Projects:
Goat sheds at Sunrise of Life
Farmers’ markets near Ngorongoro Crater
Water filters in various remote villages
Upendo home for families where members have leprosy
People with challenges at Shanga River
Bullying
GailALaRocca@gmail.com
617.285.7307
LifeWaterAfrica.com
1.18